How to create a world where we honor ourselves and each other?
I am writing this article to adults and care givers of children to let you know, that sexting is causing a big problem in the world today. This was brought to my attention just the other day when my client told me that her 13-year-old daughter has been sexting her new boyfriend. This is a frightening thing for parents. The teens growing up today have unlimited access to all kinds of sexual and crude things on the Internet. It is too easy for young girls and boys to look up porn and become influenced by sexual related content.
As a country, are we viewing sexual behavior as casual? This is a question we must ask ourselves. It seems like a lot of women don’t understand the harm they cause by disrespecting their own bodies, and allowing men to do the same. Women of all ages must learn to confidently set boundaries with men. And men must learn to respect women just as they are. If older women and men don’t see the problem, then how will our youth learn to respect themselves?
One time I went out with a 63 year-old man, and on the 2nd date he told me I had a sweet ass. “Wow, really!” I said, and continued to tell him that his comment was inappropriate and objectifying towards women. He got very defensive and said it was just a compliment. This was a 63-year-old man that was never trained to respect women.
So what do we do about this? First we have to not allow it. We have to let men know that we respect ourselves and expect them to do the same. If men don’t want to date us because we stand up for ourselves, then so be it. I ask teen girls all the time, “Do you want a boyfriend that doesn’t respect you or other women?” They say no but they also feel threatened by other girls who are playing the sexting game because those are the ones who end up with boyfriends.
So, adults it’s up to you to teach young boys about respecting girls. It’s your job as an older male to know your position in the world, even if you don’t have children, talk to young boys about the importance of respecting women.
If we don’t want a world filled with dishonor and crudeness, it is up to us . Women, take a stand when a male says or does something to you that is disrespectful. Girls, when a boy asks for a nude picture, set him straight. Men, stop talking about sex, like it is a porn movie, and set a good example for younger boys and other men. It is up to us to create a loving and honoring environment to live in. When I was growing up, sex used to be more scared. How can we teach our youth to see the body and the mind as something sacred? What are you going to do with this issue? Will you contribute to the dishonor or help create respect for both men and women?
If you are having difficulties honoring yourself, a spiritual retreat in Sedona might be for you.
